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Being from 5 years ago made it very difficult to track down pay slips and documentation

Debt amount:

$3990

Date debt issued:

Friday, 2 December 2016

Period debt occurred:

March 2012 to December 2013

Payment Type:

Austudy

Appealing Debt?:

Yes in process

Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress:

It has concerned me a lot over the Christmas period, the short time frame given to pay back the debt initially stressed me out. The fact that it concerns payments from 5 years ago has made it very difficult to track down pay slips and documentation. I feel angry that I am the one accountable for proving the inaccuracies. It has been frustrating dealing with people on the phone who clearly don't understand the system and can't explain the reason for my debt and the skeleton staff they have had available over the holiday period even though they have demanded the payments over this period.

How do you feel about the way the Government has handled this process?:

I think it is ridiculous that so many cases have been found inaccurate and there is plenty of evidence to show this system is not working and yet people are paying debts they don't owe and they can't afford because it is 'easier' than dealing with Centrelink. They sent the letter right before Christmas and gave a few short weeks for people to pay back very large amounts of money. They need to drastically increase their staffing to accommodate a thorough review of all debts claimed and take some responsibility for proving the validity in these debts, rather than putting it all on us.